Springfield, IL – Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich went to work Wednesday, one day after his appearance in federal court on corruption charges. Blagojevich's attorney says he has no plans to step down. That might force the legislature to take a rare action - impeachment.
Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) is joining the chorus urging the governor to leave office.
Myers says, "In light of the stunning accusations brought against him and the evidence presented by US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, it has become obvious that Governor Blagojevich should immediately resign his post as chief executive."
However, Myers is concerned that Blagojevich will not leave office. "If Blagojevich's past is any indicator he will likely continue his claim of innocence," says Myers. "If that is the case, I believe we need to pursue other avenues to have him removed from office, either by impeachment or through the Illinois judicial system."
Myers and other House Republicans have filed House Resolution 1644, requesting that House Speaker Michael Madigan create a special bi-partisan committee to investigate grounds for impeachment.
Republicans are not the only ones who want Blagojevich out of office.
Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes says Blagojevich's political career is over, and he says the day-to-day operations of state government are suffering because Blagojevich still holds office.
Hynes says, "Well, Tuesday, the governor was in a holding cell. So I don't know how you can do these types of things that require gubernatorial leadership and action when he is under this swirl and cloud of corruption."
But a Blagojevich spokeswoman says the state of Illinois' day-to-day operations are still the same. She says it's "business as usual" at the state office building in Chicago.
Meanwhile, former Illinois Deputy Governor Bob Greenlee says he cannot talk about his resignation as one of Blagojevich's top aides. In a brief telephone conversation with The Associated Press Wednesday, Greenlee said he'd been instructed not to speak, referring questions to an attorney. Greenlee resigned one day after Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges.
You can listen to a story about the call for impeachment by clicking on the audio button. The story was written and produced by Illinois Public Radio Statehouse Bureau Chief Sean Crawford.